Cost of Living Support
We are all acutely aware that things are more expensive at the moment. There are a wide range of supports available to help through term time.
Heating Support
Any Housing Officer can support emergency payment for fuel and heating.
Warm Spaces - Warm Spaces - OnFife
With rising living costs already being felt and more expected to hit soon, many of us across Scotland may well find it just that wee bit harder to stay warm this winter.
That’s why we’ve joined with Fife Council by dedicating selected OnFife Libraries across Fife as “warm spaces”, where you’re welcome to read, surf, or just have a blether as well as enjoy board games, one-off events or just relax with a free cuppa.
For information and advice on support offered during this time visit our.fife.scot/gethelp
If you need help getting to your local library, please check out the following information: Traveline Scotland & Travel Fife
If you are under 22 or over 60 you can travel free by bus, what great news!
Feel free to drop in anytime you like – we’ll be sure to meet you with a warm OnFife libraries welcome.
The 'Our Fife' website
There is a new website which brings together links to all the advice and support available from the council, government, partners, community groups. It’s a one-stop resource to help our families access a range of supports.
Fife Council's Cost of Living Support website
https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/welfare,-benefits-and-money-advice/cost-of-living-support.
Cost of Living Facebook page link Help with the Cost of Living in Fife | Facebook
This website will help families who are already in receipt of benefits to maximise their entitlement and can also help families who may be working and are not in receipt of benefits to see if there are any supports they are entitled to.
You can also access the benefits calculator to see if there are any supports to increase your income on the following link:
https://our.fife.scot/gethelp/topics/income
Community Assistance Line
0800 952 0330 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
The operators on this line give the same help and info as what is on the Cost Of Living webpage. They can also go over the benefit calculator over the phone. If the person wants a face-to-face appt they can arrange this. The appointments will be with a local office staff in County buildings. Any support to fill out any benefit forms which they are eligible for can be done by staff at these appointments too. The benefit calculator is also on the Cost of Living webpage.
There are local support pages within the website, here is the NE Fife's page. This will be updated constantly as new support is provided.
Local Information link
North East Fife | Cost of Living Support
This gives information on location of Foodbanks and Warm Spaces plus Community Job Hub locations.
At the bottom of the page there is a button for a printable version of this information.
The Staying Safe and Keeping Well booklet is a very useful booklet for people to have, it comes out every year around this time and is put together by Social Work.
It gives contact details for many agencies who can provide assistance with help with the Cost of Living, Money Advice, Help with Housing, Home Energy and Household Bills, Help with Food, Families, Alcohol and Drug Support, Health and Wellbeing, Domestic Abuse support, Bereavement support - Safe_and_Well_booklet_2022_online.pdf (fife.gov.uk)
Twitter hastag - #gethelpfife
Many organisations in Fife who are offering support in a range of ways can be found on Twitter by searching the hashtag #gethelpfife
Community Larders and Cafe Inc
https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/benefits-and-money-advice/food-banks
Clothing Support
If you are looking for clothing for young people, the Little Clothing Bee, based in Largo may be able to help. They provide clothes for 0-12 year olds, no questions asked. They can be found on Facebook.
East Neuk Support Groups
A variety of organisations that are going to be offering support in the East Neuk, for families across the East Neuk
East Neuk Foodbank - at Anstruther Church
Cosy Cafe - East Neuk Centre
St Monans Community Larder
The Little Clothing Bee - Lundin Links and Largo
St Monans Swap Shop
East Neuk Community Fridge - at the East Neuk Centre
Don't have online access?
For those who cannot get online or for more complex situations, there is a freephone community support helpline 0800 952 0330